john nail - I agree with you on the Primitive Seasons. I was born and raised in Alabama, so I'm actually a Hooiser Transplant. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

In my hunting infancy, AL's Primitive season was what I looked forward to each year. Those experiences are the prime factor as to why I'm going back to a traditional archery setup this coming season.

The only problem I have with initiating one here, or lengthening the Modern season is the effect on the state herd population. Since '99, Indiana's harvest numbers have increased each year. The population hasn't exploded. IDNR commented this past fall that the population is almost where they deem ideal.

I've noticed their reaction in the # of bonus permits per county dropping the last couple of seasons. In contrast, that's why the Urban Zones open two weeks before Early Archery; an effort to lower the numbers in those areas.

In states like Alabama and Mississippi, the longer seasons and higher bag limits do less damage due to the number of deer in the herds. The current bag limit in Alabama for archery is one buck and two does per day throughout the bow season. Their herd is stable even with that high a limit.

It's a ratio thing and I think Indiana's deer #'s would suffer. JMO.







Shoot often - Hunt always